BC-NC–North Carolina News Digest, NC

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TOP STORIES:

AMOEBA-RELATED DEATH

CHARLOTTE — The water at a North Carolina whitewater recreation center will be treated with 10 times the amount of chlorine typically needed to kill a brain-eating amoeba to get rid of the microorganism that caused the death of a rafter from Ohio last month, scientists said. The U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte has permission to begin treating the water whenever it is ready, Mecklenburg County Health Department Director Marcus Plescia said at a news conference Wednesday. SENT: 400 words.

SHARK SIGHTINGS-Q&A

BOSTON — It’s shark season on the East Coast. Shark sightings have prompted authorities to temporarily close popular beaches in New England, New York and elsewhere this month. And 13 people have been bitten by sharks in Florida this year. The Associated Press checked in with shark experts to see what’s going on. By Philip Marcelo. SENT: 530 words.

IN BRIEF:

—HEAT WAVE-WATER BILLS, from SPRING LAKE — At least one North Carolina town has suspended disconnecting residents’ water over unpaid bills amid the state’s oppressive heat. SENT: 120 words.

— BLUEGRASS AWARDS, from NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Earls of Leicester are nominated for eight awards individually and as a group. The awards show will be held on Sept. 29 in Raleigh, North Carolina. SENT: 120 words.

—JETER-VOTING INVESTIGATION, from COLUMBIA, S.C. — Officials in South Carolina say a poll worker’s mistake made it appear former North Carolina Rep. Charles Jeter voted twice in the November 2004 election. SENT: 130 words.

— HEAT ADVISORY, from GREENVILLE — Forecasters are warning it will be another dangerously hot day across much of North Carolina. SENT: 130 words.

— VENUS FLYTRAP THEFTS, from BURGAW — A North Carolina man will spend at least six months in prison after he removed nearly 1,000 Venus Flytrap plants from public game lands. SENT: 130 words.

— FATHER DROWNS, from ATLANTIC BEACH — Authorities say a father from Tennessee has drowned after trying to save his three daughters from a rip current off the North Carolina coast. SENT: 130 words.

— MOTHER AND TODDLER KILLED, from KINGS MOUNTAIN — Police say they still want to talk to the boyfriend who was with a woman when she and her toddler son were struck and killed by a truck on a North Carolina street. SENT: 130 words.

— WRECK DEATHS-NORTH CAROLINA, from FAYETTEVILLE — Authorities say a man who caused a wreck that killed five people in Fayetteville last month has been arrested after spending a month in the hospital. SENT: 130 words.

— GAS RATE HIKE, from ASHEVILLE — A natural gas service company is proposing an energy charge hike for customers in western North Carolina. SENT: 130 words.

— SHAW UNIVERSITY-SALARIES, from RALEIGH — Shaw University says it is ending a three-year salary reduction program, citing cost-cutting measures and gains in corporate and private giving as the reason for the move. SENT: 130 words.

— DUKE ENERGY-COAL ASH, from EDEN — North Carolina environmental officials are spelling out plans for a new, lined landfill for long-term coal ash storage near the site of a 2014 spill of coal ash, the byproduct of burning coal for electric power. SENT: 130 words.

— CSX TERMINAL, from ROCKY MOUNT — CSX is holding a pair of public meeting this week to talk about the railroad company’s plan for a terminal in Rocky Mount that will move freight from trucks to trains. SENT: 130 words.

— CAROLINAS SHORT LINE, from MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — A $10 million federal grant will be used to upgrade a short line railroad connecting Horry County, South Carolina, and Columbus County, North Carolina. SENT: 130 words.

SPORTS:

FBN–PANTHERS-CAMP BEGINS

SPARTANBTURG, S.C. — Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kawann Short said he won’t hold out while awaiting a new contract from the Carolina Panthers. Short reported to training camp on time Wednesday, the same day the Panthers announced they gave safety Kurt Coleman a three-year extension that runs through the 2019 season. Financial terms were not released. Short said he’ll play this season under his current deal if he doesn’t receive a contract extension. By Steve Reed. SENT: 760 words.

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